Carrying 3 banders in Confed. Impression

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Carrying 3 banders in Confed. Impression

Is this bucket(??) an issued item?

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Carrying 3 banders in Confed. Impression

The bucket was an issued item in the antebellum period and was widely used in the Mexican-American war. Assuming that the "bucket" that was issued with the Grimsley equipments is the mythological "gun boot" that Wil McDonald has provided us ample documentation on, then I assume that it was issued as well. But we all know what assuming does. My own person theory, in the absence of an actual artifact or better evidence, is that the gun boot is more likely to be the bucket than the thimble. From what I've gathered from limited research, the bucket was designed to accommodate more than just a simple carbine. This would make more sense in carrying a two bander on horseback. I still think 3 banders were carried across the back.

[Mark Choate]

Re: Carrying 3 banders in Confed. Impression

I agree with Larry on this and this "bucket" was what I was envisioning when I read Will's reporting of the gun boot. I actually own one but have never used it. I also agree that after many, many long miles in the saddle the most popular method of carrying the long gun would have been across the back.

Mark

[Old-South]

Re: Carrying 3 banders in Confed. Impression

Personal experience in carrying "Big Bertha", my 10ga. double barreled shotgun across the back is that unless you fabricate a front swivel ring, the sling rides up the barrel which makes the gun slide down and bang on your horse's flank. This method also makes it difficult to arm yourself from the saddle. In nearly every instance, I get tangled up with trying to get the sling over my head and not lose my hat while holding on to the reins! I will bet the cavalryman was more than eager to rid himself of the shoulder cannon and switch to a carbine.

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Carrying 3 banders in Confed. Impression

Having finally attempted this I can see the intrest in carrying one! I found that by moving the swivel to the second band it "seems" to reduce some of the issues of carrying one (weight, barrel hitting a pard in the head....Ect)

[Paul L Muller]

Re: Carrying 3 banders in Confed. Impression

Definetly muzzle up, no question. give me a hard one.... :) plm